1. A. Write-Off Objectives

   1. 1. To establish and implement a collection policy and procedure that the Cash Management Review Board has approved.
   2. 2. An authorization to write-off an account does not constitute a forgiveness of indebtedness.
   3. 3. Debtor remains obligated to the state.

   4. 4. Write-off authorizes a state agency to:

      1. a. transfer an account to a dormant file;
      2. b. discontinue incurring the expense involved in collecting the account;
      3. c. discontinue reporting the amount as a receivable on the general ledger.
   5. 5. To encourage proper write-offs on a fiscal year end basis.
   6. 6. The agencies/departments will have the ability to write-off an account from their financial statements when it is evident that it is uncollectible.

   7. 7. To establish and authorize the board and/or committee within each state agency/department to recommend any write offs when the accounts are deemed uncollectible:

      1. a. the board and/or committee shall be managerial level personnel within the appropriate department.
   8. 8. Detailed policies and procedures are stated in the Control Agencies Policies and Procedures Manual under Chapter 13―Accounts Receivable.

2. B. Write-Off Process

   1. 1. Agency/department must request an account to be written off through their respective board/committee.
   2. 2. Amounts over a specific designation require additional approval from the agency/department's secretary or undersecretary as recommended by the committee.

   3. 3. The request to write off a receivable by the agency/department must include the following information:

      1. a. the name and address of the debtor;
      2. b. the age of the account;
      3. c. the nature of the amounts owed;
      4. d. the collection efforts that have been made;
      5. e. any other pertinent information to give a full understanding of the request such as debtor's employment status, debtor financial status, debtor's accessibility, etc.
   4. 4. Approved write-off must be reported on the quarterly accounts receivable report and retained in a dormant file and removed from current records.
   5. 5. For payments received on an account written-off, record the amount received as revenue, do not re-establish the receivable.

3. C. Write-Off Criteria

   1. 1. The amount is deemed uncollectible―age of the account.
   2. 2. The write-off will not prejudice the position of the state.
   3. 3. All reasonable collection efforts have been exhausted―private collection agency, attorney general's office and/or state's debt offset process.
   4. 4. The debtor cannot be located or a discharge of bankruptcy has occurred.
   5. 5. The applicable statute of limitations for collection of debt has expired.
   6. 6. The debtor is deceased and there is no estate.

Authority Note

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 39:88.1 through 39:88.4 and Act 904 of Regular Session 2001.

Historical Note

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Office of Governor, Division of Administration, Office of Statewide Reporting and Accounting Policy, LR 28:2348 (November 2002).